Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-03-12
THE GREAT DEADWoOD MYSTERY.
By BRET HARrI

BY BRET HARTE
Copyrighted 1885, By HouKhton, Mmin 4 Co.,
and Published BY arrangement with them.l
Ine cabin offered but scanty accommoda-
ton to the tourists; which fact, when In
dignantly presented to Mrs. Rightbody, was
explained by the good-humored Ryder from
the circumstance that the usual hotel was
only a slight affair Of boards, cloth and paper,
put up during the season, and partly dis
mantled IN the fall. "You couldn't be kept
warm enough there" he added. Neverthe-
less Miss Alice noticed that both Mr.. Ryder
and Stanislaus Joe retired there with their
pipes, after having prepared the ladies'
supper, with the assistance Of an Indian
woman, who apparently emerged from the
earth at tho coming of the party, and dis.
appeared as mysteriouslv.
The stars came out brightly before they
slept; and tho next morning a clear, unwink-
ing sun beamed with almost summer power
through the shutterless window of their
cabin, and ironically disclosed the details Of
its rude interior. Two or three NANCY, half
eaten buffalo robes, q bearskin, some sus-
picious looking blankets, rifles and saddles,
deal tables and barrels made up its scant in
ventory. A strip Of faded calico hung be-
fore a recess near the chimney, but SC black
ened.b by smoke and age that even feminine
curiosity respected its secret. Mrs. Right
body was in high spirits, and informed her
daughter that she was at last on the track Of
her husbands unknown correspondent. @Sev-
enty-four and Seventy-hve represent two
members Of the vigilance committee, my
dear, and Mr.. Ryder will assist mo to find
them"
"Mr. Ryder!" CALCULATED Miss Alice, in
scornful establishment.
@Aliee," said Mrs. Rightbody, with a sus-
picious assumption Of sudden defence, ayou
injure yourself, you injure me-, by this exclu-
sive attitude. Mr.. Ryder is a friend Of your
fathers, an exceedingly well informed gentle
man. have not, of course. impaired to him
tho extent Of my suspicious. But he can help
me to what I must and will know. You
might treat lin a little more civilly-or, at
least, a little better than you do his servant,
your guide. MI. Ryder is q gentleman, and
not u paid courier"
Miss Alice was suddenly at entive. When
she spoke again, shc asked, "Why do you not
find something about this Silsbie-who died
or was hung-or something of that kinds"
"Child!" said Mrs. Rightbody, adont you
see there was no Silsbie, or, If there
was, be was simply the confidant of that
wonlan."
a knock at the door, announcing the pres
ence of Nj. Ryder and Stanislaus Joe with
the horses, checked Mrs. Rightbody's speech.
AS the animals were being packed, Mrs.
Kightbody for q moment withdrew in conf
DENTAL conversation with Mr.. Ryder, and, to
the young lady's still greater annoyance, left
her alone with Stanislaus Joe. Mss Alice
was not in good temper, but she felt it neces.
sary to say something.
Il Hope the hotel offers better quarters for
travellers than this in summer she began.
ut does"
"Then this does not belong to itf'
"No, ma'am."
9Who lives here, then?" ..
sIdo."
veg your pardon, J" stammered Miss Alice,
Il thought you lived whore we hired
"neIe we met you-in-in- You must ex.
cuse me-"
I'm not q regular guide; but as times were
bard, and I was out of grub, l took the Job"
"Out of grub!' 'job!" And she was the
"joh." What would Henry Marvin say, It
would nearly kill him. She began herself to
feel q little frightened, and walked towards
the door.
"One moment, miss!"
The young girl hcsitated. The mans tone
was surly, and yet indicated a certain kind Of
half-pathetic grievance. Her curiosity got
the better of her prudence, and she turned
back.
"This morning." he began hastily, awhen
we were coming down the valley, you picked
me up twice."
II picked yow up2" repeated the astonished
Alice.
ayes, ~contradictcd mo; that's what ]
mean; once when You said those rocks were
volcanic, once whcn you said the flower yoa,
picked was q poppy. I didn't let on at t.,
time, for it wasn't my say; but all the while
you were talking I might have laid for
you"
II don't understand you" said Alice
haughtily.
II might have entrapped you before folks.
But I only want you to know that an right,
md here are the books to show it."
lie drew aside the dingy calico curtain, re.
vealcd a small shelf of bulky books, took
down too large volumcs-one of botany, one
Of geology-nervously sought his text, and
put them in Alice's outstrctched hands.
II had no intention" she began, hall
proudly, half embarrassedly.
aAm l right, miss" he interrupted.
Il presume you are, if you say So"
That's all, nla'am. Thank your
Before the girl had time to reply be wa
gone. When be again returned it was with
her horse, and Mrs. Rightbody and Ryder
we're awaiting her. But Miss Alice noticed
that his own horse was missing.
"Are you not going with usg" she asked.
"No, ma'am."
aOh, indced!"
Miss Alice felt her speech was a feeble con.
v~entionalisln, but it was all she could say.
She, however, .did something. Hitherto il
bad been her habit to systematically reject his
assistance in mounting to her seat. Now she
awaited him. AS he approached she smiled
and put out her little foot. He instantly
stopped, She placed it i'll his hand, rose with
asprlng and for one supreme moment Stanis.
]aus Joe held her INTERESTINGLY in his ar1na
The next moment she was in the saddle, but
in that brief interval Of sixty seconds she had